Agency Spark Foundry, Named US Media Agency of the Year, Propels Robust Business Growth in 2023
In 2021, Publicis Media outshone its competitors in the media industry, securing a significant amount of new business that placed it at the top of the pack. According to COMvergence's 2021 new business report, the company won a total of nearly $7 billion in new accounts, a figure that underscores its impressive performance.
One of the most notable wins was the global media mandate for Coca-Cola, one of the world's largest advertisers. This victory was a major coup for Publicis, as the agency had long been in competition for Coca-Cola's account. The win marked a significant shift in the media agency landscape.
Other key clients won by Publicis Media included Walmart and automaker Stellantis. Spark Foundry, Zenith, and Starcom, agencies under Publicis Media, were all involved in the new business. Zenith, in particular, managed media spend worth over a billion dollars for Eli Lilly and Inspire Brands' Dunkin' and Arby's.
Starcom secured the $700 million account for McDonald's at the end of 2021, previously held by Omnicom. This win marked a significant gain for Publicis Media.
Publicis Groupe, the parent company of Publicis Media, showed strong momentum and growth in 2021, particularly in media sector wins across key regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, and China. The company outperformed many competitors in these geographies, growing organic revenue by around 5.9% globally and 5.8% in North America in Q2 of 2025.
By contrast, competitors like WPP’s GroupM ceded some major accounts such as PayPal to Publicis, reflecting a shift in client preference and competitive positioning.
In summary, Publicis Media's key wins in 2021, highlighted by the Coca-Cola global media mandate, contributed to its strong market performance and allowed it to gain an edge over other major media holding groups. This reinforces Publicis Media's position as a leading global advertising firm by revenue and growth rate.
The impressive performance of Publicis Media in 2021, as shown by their wins in major business deals, significantly impacted the media industry. Their victories in finance sectors, such as securing the global media mandate for Coca-Cola and the $700 million account for McDonald's, were crucial in bolstering their financial standing.
